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SB ZW1 

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1919a 
Copy 1 




United States Department of Agriculture, 

DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 42. 



Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry, 

Forage-Crop Investigations, 

WM. A. TAYLOR, Chief. 



PERENNIAL RYE- GRASS (Lolium perenne). 

Perennial rye-grass is a tufted short-lived perennial which makes 
a fair crop of hay and is especially valuable in pastures. It should 
not be confused with the wild ryes because of the similarity of the 
common names. It has been known variously as ray-grass, darnel, 
and Randall grass. Perennial rye-grass grows usually- to a height of 
from 1 to 2 feet. There are an abundance of long, narrow leaves near 
the base of the plant, but the seed stems are inclined to be naked. The 
under surface of the leaves is bright and glossy, which gives an attrac- 
tive appearance to the grass, most noticeable early in the spring. It 
has been a popular grass in England for at least three centuries and 
was early introduced into America. 

VALUE. 

While valuable, Perennial rye-grass takes a very subordinate posi- 
tion when compared with timothy as a hay plant. The chief use 
which has been and should be made of this grass is as an ingredient 
in permanent pasture mixtures and for lawn purposes. It can be 
used for an annual hay crop if desired. 

SEED. 

The seed of Perennial rye-grass generally has been imported into 
this country, the price usually being too low to encourage American 
farmers to save it. The germination of the seed is usually good, 
and the seedlings are especially vigorous. No one of the common 
grasses excels it in this respect. The seed weighs about 24 pounds 
to the bushel. 

USES. 

The chief uses to which Perennial rye-grass should be put are as 
an ingredient in pasture mixtures, as a temporary covering to pre- 
vent the washing of the soil, for lawns, and for winter grazing on 
Bermuda-grass pastures in the South. The grass is valuable for 

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these purposes because of its rapid germination ana growm. xt 
should be looked upon as a temporary covering while more permanent 
and valuable plants are becoming established. 




SOILS AND CLIMATE. 

For the best results this grass should have a fertile, moist soil with 
a cool, damp climate. Hot, dry spells usually kill it on uplands, or 
at least greatly retard its growth. Its lack of drought resistance 
greatly restricts its usefulness in this country. 

CULTURE. 

The seed bed for Perennial rye-grass should be prepared as for 
other grasses. A fine, mellow surface on a compact subsoil gives the 
best results. It should be seeded early in the spring or in late sum- 
mer or early fall. It does especially well when seeded in the fall. 
Its ability to grow off rapidly allows the plants to become well 
established before hard freezing occurs. When seeded alone, from 
25 to 30 pounds of seed to the acre are required to give a' good stand, 
while 8 to 10 pounds are sufficient for seeding in mixtures with other 

grasses. 

Lyman Carrier, 

Agronomist. 
Washington, D. C, May 31, 1919. 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1919 



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http://www.archive.org/details/perennialryegrasOOunit 



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